Founded in 1976, ASiT is a professional body and educational charity working to promote excellence in surgical training across all ten surgical specialties in the UK and Republic of Ireland. ASiT is independent of the Surgical Royal Colleges and is run by trainees for trainees. Find out how ASiT can benefit your surgical education and career.

ASiT welcome the efforts of the Royal College of Surgeons of England to improve paediatric patient safety by setting standards for paediatric surgical care. Please see our response to their recommendations below

The Shape of Training Review sets recommendations reagrding the structure and delivery of medical and surgical postgraduate training for the next 30 years. The changes proposed have implications for both current and future trainees. Our response document sets out the specific changes that surgical trainees within the UK will encounter if these recommendations are implemented, and seeks to communicate the opinions of ASiT. Read here our response to the Shape of Training Steering Group recommendations and find the template letter to send to your MP!

Following concerns about the quality of implants used in cosmetic breast surgery, an independent review of cosmetic practice performed in the private sector was undertaken. Completed in 2013, part of its influence has been the formation of the Cosmetic Surgery Interspecialities Committee (CSIC). This body has presented a number of key proposals to protect patients undergoing cosmetic interventions. Find our reponse to these proposals here.

This two-day weekend MRCS course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the MRCS part B exam. With coverage of commonly encountered examination topics and plenty of viva and hands-on practice, delegates will leave having a clear understanding of the level expected of them and should be comfortable with challenging common questions.

The Association of Surgeons in Training feels strongly that any form of undermining, bullying or harassment has no place within modern surgical training and is unacceptable. As professionals, surgical trainees have the right to feel valued and safe in the workplace, and are encouraged to raise concerns if this behaviour exists. Click here to read our position statement

Concerns have been raised by surgical trainees that reliable advice regarding working during pregnancy and less than full time training is difficult to find, and that access to less than full time training and adequacy of training within in these points has been questioned. Read our position statement

ASiT has been concerned about the adverse effects of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) on patient safety and surgical training since its introduction. In recent years the association has undertaken numerous projects and published several documents in relation to this. Read more here

Over the past decade the ASiT Silver Scalpel Award, generously supported by Swann-Morton, has played a vital part in recognising trainers going the extra mile for their trainees, while at the same time promoting the highest standards of surgical training.

Surgical trainee-led research collaboratives offer the opportunity to run large-scale multi-centre audits and clinical trails by bringing together interested trainees into one collaborative research group. A number of such groups now exist across the UK and their contact details can be found here. Find out more about our ASiT NRCM Grant here